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◎The Twenty-Sixth Day of the King of Scrolls◎
The final result was that the tickets were found.
But Jiang Renzhou might not be able to come back on the weekend.
The next day, after Jiang Wanzhou finished feeding the pigs, Jiang Weiguo summoned her to the warehouse.
"Zhou girl, come here!" Jiang Weiguo pointed to the sack in the corner. "This is a reward for you and your sister-in-law: ten catties of fine grains, twenty catties of coarse grains, or two catties of meat. Which do you want?"
The warehouse was filled with the smell of grain, and corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and several bags of flour were piled against the wall.
Jiang Wanzhou's gaze swept over the sack, finally settling on the piece of meat on the table, which was half-covered by a white cloth.
"Uncle, I want that piece of meat." She pointed to the pork, her eyes shining brightly.
Jiang Weiguo was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "You little rascal, you know how to pick! This was just allocated by the commune, I'll add it to your bonus privately. Okay, here you go!"
He wrapped it in oil paper and handed it over, saying, "Take this back and give it to your sister-in-law to nourish her body; she's pregnant."
"I definitely won't eat it all by myself, thank you, Uncle!" Jiang Wanzhou took the oil paper package, its weight making her heart tremble.
Since arriving here, she and Shen Xinglian have been eating coarse grains and wild vegetables for every meal.
Plain congee with preserved egg, potatoes with pickled vegetables.
A more substantial option would be egg fried rice.
Forget about meat, even a speck of oil is hard to find.
As soon as she stepped out of the warehouse, she bumped into Jiang Husheng, who was lurking against the wall, his eyes fixed on the oil paper package in her hand.
"Second brother, what are you doing here?" Jiang Wanzhou subconsciously hid the meat behind his back.
Jiang Husheng rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "Wanzhou, this meat... was it a prize from the team?"
Jiang Wanzhou looked at him warily, "What's wrong?"
“Look,” Jiang Husheng leaned closer to her, “Mother has been saying she’s been feeling dizzy these past few days, she’s probably not getting enough nourishment. This meat… how about we give it to her to help her recover?”
Jiang Wanzhou almost laughed in anger: "Mom is dizzy? I saw her chasing chickens this morning. If you want to make up for it, go find someone to replace it yourself. This is a reward from my sister-in-law and me."
"You brat, how can you be so insensible!" Jiang Husheng's face immediately darkened. "Your mother raised you all these years, and you won't even give her meat to eat."
"No."
"What's wrong with eating a piece of your meat?"
"Mother treats you better! Why don't I see my second brother setting an example for me as his younger sister?" Jiang Wanzhou tightened the oil paper package in her arms, her eyes turning cold.
"When we divided the family property, you didn't even give us a bowl. My sister-in-law is in postpartum confinement and is pregnant again, and you haven't given her an egg!"
As the two were arguing, Jiang's mother, Liu Cuihua, suddenly appeared out of nowhere. When she saw the oil paper package in Jiang Wanzhou's hand, her eyes widened: "So! The team distributed meat, and you actually want to keep it all for yourself? Jiang Wanzhou, you ingrate!"
She reached out to snatch it, but Jiang Wanzhou was prepared and dodged to the side: "This is my sister-in-law's, why should I give it to you?"
"Don't try to fool me!" Liu Cuihua's tantrum kicked in again. She sat down on the ground and started wailing, "Why is my life so miserable! I raised an unfilial daughter who eats the meat herself but doesn't care whether her old mother lives or dies! Everyone, come and see..."
This crying attracted many passing commune members.
Some people gathered around to watch the commotion, while others advised, "Wanzhou, she's still your mother, why not give her some?"
Jiang Wanzhou was seething with anger, but she knew that reasoning with someone who was throwing a tantrum was pointless.
She took a deep breath and suddenly raised her voice: "Mom, I told you, this is my sister-in-law's. I'll trade it for five pounds of corn and five pounds of sweet potatoes?"
"Mom, if you want some, I'll get you a few ears of corn."
She pointed to the warehouse, and Liu Cuihua's crying stopped abruptly.
I originally wanted two pounds of meat.
But thinking that Jiang's mother might cause trouble, he only exchanged one pound of meat.
When her portion was replaced with whole grains.
Jiang Wanzhou whispered, "Mom, if something happens to my sister-in-law, and you ate her flesh, you'll end up in jail too, right?"
"You...you just wait!" Liu Cuihua glared at her fiercely, got up, grabbed Jiang Husheng, and left, spitting before she left, "You'll get fat and die sooner or later!"
Jiang Wanzhou watched their retreating figures, her hands trembling with anger.
The aunt next to her sighed: "Third daughter, don't argue with your mother, go back home quickly."
"Thank you, Auntie." Jiang Wanzhou nodded, clutching the oil paper package tightly as she walked home, her steps as fast as the wind.
Shen Xinglian was airing out books in the yard when she heard footsteps and looked up.
Upon seeing the oil paper package in Jiang Wanzhou's arms, she twitched her nose: "Is it meat?"
"Yes! It was a team prize, it was supposed to be two jin!" Jiang Wanzhou explained.
Shen Xinglian nodded repeatedly: "Then how about braised pork?"
Jiang Wanzhou's anger vanished instantly, replaced by undisguised joy. "We can have meat tonight!"
Shen Xinglian's eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up: "I really didn't expect this..."
Jiang Wanzhou pulled her towards the kitchen, saying, "Let's not keep this little bit of meat. Let's finish it as soon as possible. Otherwise, they'll come looking for trouble these next few days."
Jiang Wanzhou started the fire, while Shen Xinglian prepared the meat.
Since the available seasonings were limited, Jiang Wanzhou found star anise in the woods on the hill.
They couldn't possibly stir-fry the cabbages from their private plots with meat.
Fortunately, Jiang Renzhou had bought brown sugar beforehand.
It can only be used to make braised pork.
The star anise was left to dry on the roof.
Shen Xinglian tied Shen Mingyuan to the chicken coop and brought him back.
She moved Jiang Wanzhou to the spot where she was tending the fire.
Jiang Wanzhou first fried the fatty meat into deep-fried oil.
Deep-fry them and take them out; we'll have deep-fried cabbage noodles tomorrow.
It sounds delicious.
Throw the spices into the oil, then add the meat chunks.
The chunks of meat were simmering in the pot.
The aroma of oil mixed with spices slowly spread, filling the nostrils and making one's mouth water.
Shen Xinglian squatted in front of the stove adding firewood, watching the flames lick the bottom of the pot, feeling warm inside.
This is probably the most beautiful moment since I transmigrated here.
If she hadn't been instilled with the values of being strong and wealthy by her mother from a young age...
She wouldn't go to a man like that and just force herself to live like that.
Thinking back to our university days, the time when I was closest to Wanzhou.
She also made a serious promise that they would live together after graduation.
When I have the money, I'll buy a unit on the first floor.
We can go grocery shopping together every day, and cook and eat together.
Live life at a leisurely pace.
I never expected to end up living here.
"It smells so good." She sniffed. "It smells even better than the five-star hotel food I ate in my past life."
"Wanzhou, did you secretly learn it later?"
“Yes, I worked as a teacher for two years after graduation. There was a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher anymore, so I went to learn to be a chef,” Jiang Wanzhou said with a smile, her eyes reflecting the flickering firelight.
Just as the meat was almost cooked, Liu Cuihua's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate: "You brat! Are you home? I've come to get some needle and thread!"
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing wariness in each other's eyes.
Jiang Wanzhou quickly scooped up the meat and covered it with a bowl.
It was hidden inside the stove, which hadn't been lit yet.
The fire from the neighbor's stove still managed to spread here, and Jiang Wanzhou even got burned when it was put inside.
Shen Xinglian quickly took a gourd ladle from the water vat and filled it with water.
Jiang Wanzhou told her to pour it into a large bowl.
Shen Xinglian chuckled in exasperation: "What time is it? Why are you still being so particular?"
"Don't worry, I don't mind."
“We don’t have any needles or thread here either,” Jiang Wanzhou said, snatching the melon ladle from her hand and raising her voice before slowly going to open the door.
Liu Cuihua, who had just entered the house, heard the noise and ran to the kitchen, sniffing hard: "Have you eaten meat?"
"Yes, I just finished eating." Shen Xinglian subtly blocked her view. "Mom, my second child is really craving eggs. Can you give me two eggs a day from your hens?"
"Oh... okay." Liu Cuihua's mind wasn't on talking at all; she kept lifting the pot lid.
I only came to my senses when I saw that there was only a little soup left.
"Where do our hens lay eggs? Eat, eat, eat! Even the eldest isn't this delicious."
"You're not surnamed Jiang, so why would you eat Jiang family food?"
Jiang Wanzhou frowned: "Mom, your surname isn't Jiang either."
Liu Cuihua cursed loudly: "Some people will turn against their own side for a couple of bites of meat."
As they were talking, Shen Xinglian suddenly cried out "Ouch!" and bent over, clutching her stomach. "My stomach hurts... A-Zhou, quickly help me inside."
Jiang Wanzhou quickly helped her up and said to Liu Cuihua, "Mother, my sister-in-law is not feeling well. Let me help her into the house first."
The two of them, singing in unison, left Liu Cuihua standing there, completely ignored.
Looking at the closed door and smelling the faint aroma of meat coming from the kitchen, she felt a pang of unease, but there was nothing she could do but leave, grumbling under her breath.
Hearing the courtyard gate close, Shen Xinglian immediately straightened up: "Let's go eat meat!"
The two rushed into the kitchen.
Jiang Wanzhou put the rice on the steamer. The meat was already stir-fried and was placed on top to steam, which would make the braised pork more tender and delicious.
Jiang Wanzhou diluted the remaining broth with water and then stir-fried a few pieces of meat and potatoes together.
The two waited for the food to be ready.
Jiang Wanzhou pushed the bowl towards Shen Xinglian, picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and put it in her mouth.
Jiang Wanzhou almost cried as soon as the meat entered her mouth.
It's rich but not greasy, and has the aroma of star anise.
It was the most delicious thing she had eaten since she transmigrated here.
Shen Xinglian also ate very slowly, taking small sips, her eyes a little red.
"Eat slowly, no one will take it from you." Jiang Wanzhou put a piece of pork belly with skin on on on her plate. "Eat more, it'll help you recover."
"You eat too." Shen Xinglian scooped potatoes from her bowl into hers. "Potatoes are delicious too."
Finally, Jiang Wanzhou let out a burp, patted her stomach, and laughed, "It smells so good. I wish I could eat like this every day."
Looking at her satisfied expression, Shen Xinglian suddenly said, "Wanzhou, thank you."
"Thank me for what?" Jiang Wanzhou raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you for transmigrating and taking care of me all this time." Shen Xinglian's voice was very soft.
Jiang Wanzhou felt a pang of sadness and took her hand: "Don't talk nonsense, we're best friends. We couldn't be together in our past lives, but we have to be together in this life. Let's eat meat together, go to college together, and live the life we want together."
Shen Xinglian nodded vigorously, and tears finally welled up in her eyes and fell.
In the distance came the barking of dogs and the chirping of insects, which sounded like Liu Cuihua's faint cursing, but none of that mattered anymore.
Shen Xinglian suddenly stood up: "Oh no! My son is still on the chicken coop."
"Wait, wait, don't run away, I'll come and get you."
Jiang Wanzhou quickly got up and went to the kitchen.
[Author's Note]
Shen Mingyuan: I didn't like sleeping in a bed since I was a child, I preferred to sleep in a chicken coop (fake).
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